Watson Farley & Williams LLP

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

• 'Consistently punches above its weight and provides a high-quality service.'
• 'A genuine full service law firm - we use WFW for our shipbuilding contracts and time charterparties and they can pull in other practices when needed.'
• 'Robert Platt - intelligent negotiator, understated style and manner which achieves results, very user friendly and thinks of practical solutions under pressure. Recommended for shipbuilding contracts.'
• 'Daniel Saunders stands out for his commercial knowledge of the industry and building a relationship based on trust. He always finds a way out of complicated and complex situations leaving all sides satisfied and more importantly in the most beneficial way for the client.'
• 'Commercial acumen, responsive client approach, problem-solving attitude, in-depth expert knowledge of shipping.'
• 'Mike Phillips brings excellent knowledge and experience to the table which is key to getting on the front foot and preventing potentially expensive disputes escalating. Contactable if and when needed within reason and in line with the severity and timeline of the matter.'
• 'This firm have long history in the shipping law practice and had created several new practice areas following the market flow.'
• 'Mike Phillips always gives valuable and creative support that is solution oriented.'

Key clients

Work highlights

Lawyers

Leading associates

Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Nikki Chu

Watson Farley & Williams LLP

Nikki has over 11 years’ experience as a disputes lawyer in the marine and international trade sectors. She adopts a practical and commercial approach to ensure that disputes are resolved efficiently. She specialises in dry shipping, including charterparty, bill of lading, cargo and shipbuilding disputes and assisting clients with LNG shipping issues. Nikki has also advised on commercial disputes including injunctive relief and issues arising from ship finance contracts. She has worked on cases involving major incidents such as container stack collapses and fires. On the non-contentious side, she advises on the drafting and negotiation of shipping contracts (including LNG charterparties). She has acted for a wide range of clients including owners, charterers, P&I Clubs, insurers, traders, cargo interests and maritime investment companies. Having spent a year at an International Group P&I Club in London, she is well-experienced in dealing with FD&D and P&I matters, often with a real-time element. Nikki is listed as a Rising Star by The Legal 500 UK 2024. Clients value her dedication to cases and attention to detail and say that “Nikki Chu has the capacity to delve to the bottom of the legal issues at hand. She would leave no stone unturned to research all the available authorities and academic writings, and to consider the matter from all possible angles.” She is passionate about improving diversity within the legal industry and was shortlisted as a finalist in The Rising Star in Diversity Change category of Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards 2022.

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Robert Platt

Watson Farley & Williams LLP

A commercial contracts and dispute resolution specialist, Robert’s expertise spans a broad range of industry sectors, with a particular focus on shipbuilding and offshore construction. Most recently he has also been heavily engaged on a number of high-profile cruise newbuilding projects. His clients include leading shipowners, offshore contractors and well-known shipyards. Robert is recommended for his expertise by The Legal 500 UK. In 2019, Legal 500 reported that he has a “well-deserved reputation as a brilliant lawyer and tough negotiator”.

Mike Phillips

Watson Farley & Williams LLP

Mike specialises in shipping, contentious ship finance and ship and offshore vessel construction. Mike’s clients include shipowners, traders, insurers, banks, funds and shipyards. With over 20 years’ of practice in the marine and international trade sector, Mike has a wealth of knowledge and experience which he brings to bear to help clients resolve their most complex and difficult problems. Representing some of the largest and most well-known companies in the marine and international trade sector, Mike is known as both an exceptional lawyer and a clever strategist. Equally at home in London arbitration or multi-jurisdictional Court proceedings, Mike has a strong record of success for clients in a wide range of matters from shipping and cargo claims, groundings and vessel fires through to complex multi-vessel finance enforcement. On the construction side, Mike represents shipyards and buyers on a range of construction projects from super-yachts through to complex offshore vessels and rigs. Mike regularly delivers training to industry professionals, on a bespoke basis for clients, and through the leading industry association, BIMCO. The Legal 500 2019 has called Mike “outstanding”. Mike was shortlisted as Legal 500 Transport Lawyer of the Year in 2019.